FWC still searching for 2 missing men off Horseshoe Beach

The search continues for the two men missing since Saturday, June 15, off Horseshoe Beach, Dixie County, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officials.

Thomas E. Morrison (DOB 12/22/49) of Jacksonville, and Glen S. Harris (DOB 03/23/43) of Keystone Heights, Clay County, are still missing after their boat overturned in the Gulf of Mexico on Saturday, approximately 14 miles offshore of Horseshoe Beach.

Morrison and Harris, along with Frank DiPaula (DOB 03/01/35) and Thomas Grant (DOB 04/14/46), both of Keystone Heights, went out Saturday morning to go offshore fishing in a 1978, 21-foot Wellcraft center console open sport fisher.

At approximately 11:30 p.m. Saturday, FWC vessels began looking for the boat, which had been reported as overdue. FWC officers searched overnight with assistance from U.S. Coast Guard air assets. The overturned boat was found approximately 14 miles offshore at about 8:30 a.m. Sunday by a U.S. Coast Guard search plane. DiPaula and Grant were with the vessel and an FWC vessel rescued the two men.

FWC officers continued the search for Morrison and Harris until sundown on Sunday.

“We are continuing throughout the day to search for the two missing men,” Capt. John Burton, acting regional commander for the FWC, said Monday, June 17.

The overturned vessel was recovered and towed back to the Horseshoe Beach marina by Sea Tow.

“Our hearts go out to the families of the missing men,” Burton said.

The FWC is continuing the investigation into the accident.

FWC Facts:Florida panthers often meticulously cache, or cover, their prey with leaves, grass and sticks. This helps prevent competitors and scavengers from finding and stealing their food.